Outgoing Chief of Defense Forces General Samson Mwathethe presided over his last Commissioning Parade, two days after his retirement, although he's yet to handover.
At Lanet in Nakuru, the Navy man bid goodbye to Defense Forces team, an indication that his term will not be extended by the President at least for one year since Kenya is not in war or, at least the country is stable politically.
“The Specialist and Special Duty Cadets passing out today commenced their training at this Academy on 29 October 2018.They have undergone 6 months of intensive training, the culmination of which we are witnessing today,” said the CDF, while awarding top performers.
He acknowledged that KDF bears the responsibility for the protection of Kenyan people not only from the threats of external aggression, but also the restoration of order in support of the civil administration, and in order to achieve this, KDF is entitled to continuously build capacity, through training.
General Mwathethe urged the commissioned Officers to combine the lessons taught at the KMA with a sound sense of selfless service, duty, moral principles and unwavering desire to protect the Kenyan people.
Present during the colourful event were the Principal Secretary for Defence Saitoti Torome, the Vice Chief of Defence Forces Lieutenant General Robert Kibochi, Service Commanders, the Assistant Chief of Defence Forces, Personnel & Logistics Major General Fatuma Ahmed, the Kenya Military Academy Commandant Major General George Owino, Senior Military Officers, Officers, Service Members,families and friends, and a host of other invited guests.
According to Tonje Rules, named after former Chief of Defense Forces General Daudi Tonje, a military chief retires upon attaining the age of 64 or after the expiry of 4 years as CDF, whichever comes first.
The same rules also dictate that the Chief of Defense Forces position is held on a rotational basis among the three forces; Kenya Army, Kenya Air Force and Kenya Navy. General Mwathethe replaced Air Force man General Julius Karangi. This means his replacement must strictly come from Kenya Army.
In the next couple of weeks, President Uhuru Kenyatta is set to reshuffle the military, a move that would see the most senior Army man, Lt General Robert Kibochi takeover from Mwathethe, if all factors remain constant. But Kibochi could get a minimal competition from UN mission in Darfur Lt General Leornad Ngondi and Army Commander Lt General Walter Raria.